South Australia acknowledges its sport industry stars at annual sport awards

The South Australian sport industry acknowledged a year of achievement at the KPMG Celebration of South Australian Sport on Friday (22nd November) evening, with the event boosted by South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill announcing plans for a new home for the KPMG South Australian Sport Hall of Fame.

Celebrated by almost 500 people at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, South Australian sport in 2013 was recognised with the Sport SA Awards; The Advertiser Channel Seven Sports Star of the Year Awards and The KPMG South Australian Sport Hall of Fame.

Speaking at the event, Premier Weatherill outlined the plans and the generous South Australian Government support for the SA Sports Museum, which will be located on Adelaide’s North Terrace, complementing the redeveloped Adelaide Oval.

Those recognised at the Awards were:

The Advertiser Channel Seven Sports Star of the Year - Rohan Dennis

The Advertiser Channel Seven Sports Team of the Year - The Adelaide Thunderbirds

People’s Choice award - Natalie Von Bertouch

Winners & Finalists for the 2013 Sport SA Awards
Volunteer Award – Sponsored by the Sunday Mail City Bay Fun Run Inc.
Geoff Young, Cricket 

Official of the Year – Sponsored by Club One
Simon Fry, Cricket 

Administrator of the Year – Sponsored by OAMPS Insurance Brokers
John Cranwell, Sasrapid 

Richard Newman Primary School Sports Award – Sponsored by the Department for Education & Child Development
Callum Park, Baseball and Football, Plympton Primary School 

Secondary School Sports Award – Sponsored by Messenger Community News Limited
Kyle Chalmers, Swimming, Immanuel College 

Country Athlete of the Year – Supported by the Office for Recreation and Sport. 
James Dukalskis, Athletics 

Coach of the Year – Sponsored by Print Junction
Tim Decker, Cycling 

Event of the Year – Supported by the State Government. 
Rescue 2012 World Life Saving Championships 

KPMG South Australian Sport Hall of Fame 2013 Inductees

Kathryn Harby - whether it was playing with Contax in the halcyon days of the state league or captaining Australia, Harby-Williams had a massive influence on netball in South Australia. The champion defender played with enormous heart and passion and her competitive streak ran deep, refusing to concede a contest without a 100% fight.

Sir James Hardy OBE - was a giant of the sailing world during the 1960s and 1970s and is known to many as the godfather of Australia’s historic 1983 America’s Cup victory. Born in Seacliff and schooled at St Peter’s College, Hardy sailed at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics before turning his attention to the America’s Cup. He skippered three challengers in 1970, 1974 and 1980 before helping John Bertrand, Alan Bond and co. bring the Cup Down Under in 1983 as an advisor.

The late Ken McGregor is considered one of Australia’s greatest ever tennis players who teamed with Frank Sedgman to become one of the greatest doubles combinations of all time. The pair won the first men’s grand slam in 1951, on their way to seven consecutive grand slam doubles titles. McGregor also had a distinguished Davis Cup career and in 1952 won the men’s singles title at the Australian Championships – now known as the Australian Open.

Jack Oatey AM – will be forever remembered as a master of Australian football - and the man who changed the way it was played to emphasise skill and thrive with handball as both an attacking and defensive weapon. Oatey's playing career was interrupted by World War II, but he still established himself as a premiership rover in 181 SANFL league games with Norwood while showing an eagerness to coach. In an intense rivalry with Fos Williams, Oatey ultimately set an SANFL record with 10 premierships - including five in a row with Sturt from 1966-1970.

Jenny Williams - has etched an amazing path in sporting history with representation of South Australia in six sports, playing Lacrosse for Australia and selected in the Australian Touch Football and Cricket squads. She captained and coached the Australian Lacrosse team, which included a world title in 1986. She performed similar feats with South Australia, playing, captaining and coaching SA to a record run of national titles over a decade. Jenny will join her Father Fos Williams as a member of the KPMG South Australian Sport Hall of Fame, as he was inducted in 2011.

The inaugural Margaret Ralston ‘Golden Door’ AM Award was presented to Marie Little OAM who has been a pioneer in facilitating opportunities for athletes with disabilities to enjoy sport in the community.

Commenting on the Awards, Sport SA Chief Executive Jan Sutherland stated “our success stories are now recorded for eternity and I look forward to the recipients of the 2013 Awards following their sporting journey perhaps to induction into The KPMG South Australian Sport Hall of Fame. The exciting developments of the home for the KPMG South Australian Sport Hall of Fame and the South Australian Sports Museum will showcase success and inspire our future sporting stars and everyone to enjoy sport and physical activity in a healthy lifestyle.” 

Image: Jack Oatey.

8th November 2013 - KPMG SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SPORT HALL OF FAME 2013 INDUCTEES NAMED